from POPE JOHN PAUL II

A book updating knowledge of the events of Garabandal has been written by Herr
Albrecht Weber, a German who lives in the village. (At present available only in
German.) He says that a copy of this book providentially came into the hands of the
Holy Father who asked his secretary, Mgr. Stanislaus Dziwisz, to write to the
Author. In the book is printed part of this letter, as follows :

"May God reward you for everything. Especially for the deep love with which you are making the events connected with Garabandal more widely known. May the Message of the Mother of God find an entrance into hearts before it is too late. As an expression of joy and gratitude, the Holy Father gives you his apostolic blessing."

The author then continues : "From an attached greeting in the Pope's own handwriting, with his signature, it is clear how deep an interest he has in the events of Garabandal, and how anxious he is that they should be made known in a credible way "

We hope that this will spur us on to lend books and videos to others, that the "Message of the Mother of God find an entrance into hearts before it is too late."

POPE PAUL VI AND GARABANDAL

The Blessed Virgin., in conversation with the young visionaries of Garabandal, mentioned the Holy Father on several occasions, and told them, "Pray, pray for the Pope" . It is an interesting fact that Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical "Mysterium Fidei" concerning "the weakening of devotion toward the Holy Eucharist" on September 3, 1965, only eleven weeks after Our Lady had complained, "Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist."

Early in 1966 Conchita was called to the Vatican. Gardinal Ottaviani, the pro-Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Holy Office) had instructed Fr. Luna: "With or without the permission of the bishop, bring the young girls to me." During January 12-16 she was interviewed for 2 1/2 hours by the Cardinal and saw other members of the Congregation, afterwards she saw the Pope and gave him the date of the Great Miracle to come. She then paid a visit to Padre Pio, the famous stigmatist. Upon her return, at an audience in St. Peter's, the Holy Father came to her and announced joyfully in a clear voice, "Conchita, I, the Pope, bless you and with me the whole Church blesses you."

In February 1968 Conchita was again summoned to Rome by Cardinal Francis Seper. The Vatican paid for this and she was lodged for 15 days at the home of Lugina, a personal friend of the Pope.

After her meeting with Cardinal Seper, she was apparently received by the Holy Father but she told questioners, "I cannot say anything in this regard. "

The November 7, 1968 bulletin of Peru's Legion Blanca under the imprimatur of Mgr. Alfonso Zapana Belliza, Bishop of Tacna, Peru, quotes the late Pope Paul VI as having said at a private audience these inspiring words: "Garabandal the most beautiful story of humanity since the birth of Jesus Christ! It is also the second sojourn of the most Holy Virgin on this earth, and we have no adequate words to express our gratitude."

Pope Paul VI had all the while shown a very special interest in the apparitions. At an audience given to Fr. Jose Escalda, S.J., the latter mentioned there were many opponents of the apparitions even amongst his own people. His Holiness promptly rejoined: "It doesn't matter; tell these gentlemen that it is the Pope who has said that it is most important and most urgent to make these messages known to the world."

On March 3, 1969, the Pope, replying to a letter ' sent to him by Mrs. N. Baco of the Anglo-French Centre, sent his Apostolic Blessing to her and to all "Garabandalists in England and Ireland."

In June 1969, Pope Paul sent his personnal blessing to Difurora Mariana of Mexico, along with the gift of a crucifix for every member of the Garabandal Centre there, encouraging them to continue promoting the messages of Garabandal. On May 7, 1970, addressing a group of Garabandal pilgrims from St. Michael's. Garabandal Centre, Brockton, Mass., U.S.A., the Pope blessed their banner, saying, "Be in the Vanguard! Forward!" The following day L'Osservatore, the official Vatican newspaper, carried the news on the front page:

In 1975, Jacinta, the visionary visited Rome in order to gain the Holy Year indulgence. The then Bishop of Santander, Bishop del Val, had given her a personal letter of introduction addressed to certain Cardinals of the Sacred Congregation. She was received with great kindness by Cardinal Ottaviani for 30 minutes. He told her, "Jacinta, I am with you, but we have to pray much and have much patience . . : it. is necessary to pray that the Church will become aware of the importance of Garabandal." .Cardinal Philippe who was presiding over a Bishops' Conference, left it in order to meet her and tell her, "I bless you in the name of the Madonna and I am fully with you. " She was also told, ' `It is very important that the four of you remain
united. "

It is therefore possible that Pope Paul VI had the Garabandal prophecies in mind when, after speaking of the notable events of the Holy Year, during a general audience on January 7, 1976, he added this comment:
"Finally, certain secrets of the Divine Mercy in which are revealed the thrilling resources of the' Kingdom of God, are indication that we have reached a decisive and great hour. "

In his book 'Garabandal The Village Speaks, Ramon Perez concludes: "At the end of 1980 we are still at the same point: Rome takes the affair very seriously but officially she declares that it is the Bishop of Santander who must decide."

 

This is Valerie Cygon.

Valerie Cygon who has multiple sclerosis
is from New Jersey, USA but is now
living in Garabandal.

 

 

 

 

 

In 1998, Valerie met Pope John Paul II during a general
audience. Of the occasion she wrote :

After his talk, the people on the platform where he was, were allowed to go up and
greet him. When it was my turn, I went up to him, kissed his ring and told him I loved him.For some strange reason, he asked me where I was from. I say strange because I look so American. I said, "Spain, Your Holiness." He asked, "Where ?" I replied,
"Garabandal, Your Holiness." Then suddenly his eyes grew large, he swayed
backwards and grasping for air said in one long, drawn out sound,
"G-A-R-A-B-A-N-D-A-L"
When I saw the look on his face, I just started crying and they pushed me away.